Oral contraceptives cause evolutionarily novel increases in hormone exposure

Lovett, Jennie L.; Chima, Margo A; Wexler, Juliana K; Arslanian, Kendall; Friedman, Andrea B; Yousif, Chantal B; Strassmann, Beverly I.

doi:10.1093/emph/eox009

Cited by 41 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…However, induced abortion, oral contraceptive use, family history of BC, delayed child birth and reduced duration of breast feeding have been identified as risk factors based on previous studies. Oral contraceptive use may induce the proliferation of breast cells, therefore increasing the risk of breast development (23). It has also been determined that a window of susceptibility to breast cancer exists, in the time period between puberty onset and first full-term pregnancy (15).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma phospholipase A2 activity may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker for the diagnosis of breast cancer

Zhao

Wang

et al. 2018

Oncol Lett

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Abstract. Previous studies have indicated that phospholipase A2 (PLA2) may be associated with tumorigenesis in human tissues. The present study aimed to investigate the association between plasma PLA2 activity and the breast cancer (BC) status of patients. Increased plasma PLA2 activity was detected in patients with breast cancer when compared with healthy controls. Plasma samples were obtained from patients with BC (n=169), patients with benign disease (BD; n=80) and healthy controls (n=81). PLA2 activity was assessed using a quantitative fluorescent assay with selective inhibitors. It was demonstrated that increased PLA2 and secretory PLA2 (sPLA2) activity was associated with tumor stage, particularly in patients with late-stage disease. Additionally, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index (BMI) and age of patients did not have a significant effect on PLA2 activity. Analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that plasma PLA2 and sPLA2 activities were increased in BC patients compared with healthy controls. It was concluded that plasma PLA2 activity may serve as a biomarker for patients with BC.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma phospholipase A2 activity may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker for the diagnosis of breast cancer

Zhao

Wang

et al. 2018

Oncol Lett

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“…Commonly used CHCs lead to lower levels of endogenous estrogens and progesterone across the cycle, without cyclic fluctuation (30). Moreover, a recent study by Lovett et al (31) measured serum concentrations of endogenous and exogenous (synthetic) estradiol and progesterone in women receiving seven typical CHCs after adjusting for their relative binding affinity to their receptors. This study demonstrated that the median exogenous E2 exposure across a 28‐day cycle in CHC users was similar to median endogenous E2 exposure; however, median synthetic progesterone exposure in CHC users was fourfold higher on average than median circulating endogenous progesterone (31).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Combined Hormonal Contraceptive Use on Weight Loss: A Secondary Analysis of a Behavioral Weight‐Loss Trial

Caldwell

Zaman

Ostendorf

et al. 2020

Obesity

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Objective This study aimed to perform a preliminary investigation of the impact of combined hormonal contraceptive (CHC) use on weight loss during an 18‐month behavioral weight‐loss trial. Methods Adults (n = 170; 18‐55 years; BMI 27‐42 kg/m2) received a weight‐loss intervention that included a reduced‐calorie diet, a progressive exercise prescription, and group‐based behavioral support. Premenopausal women (n = 110) were classified as CHC users (CHC, n = 17) or non‐CHC users (non‐CHC, n = 93). Changes in weight were examined within groups using a linear mixed model, adjusted for age and randomized group assignment. Results At 6 M, weight was reduced from baseline in both CHC (mean, −6.7 kg; 95% CI: −9.8 to −3.7 kg) and non‐CHC (−9.1 kg; −9.1 to −6.4 kg). Between 6 and 18 M, CHC regained weight (4.9 kg; 0.9 to 8.9 kg), while weight remained relatively unchanged in non‐CHC (−0.1 kg; −1.8 to 1.6 kg). At 18 M, weight was relatively unchanged from baseline in CHC (−1.8 kg; −7.3 to 3.6 kg) and was reduced from baseline in non‐CHC (−7.9 kg; −10.2 to −5.5 kg). Conclusions In this secondary data analysis, CHC use was associated with weight regain after initial weight loss. Prospective studies are needed to further understand the extent to which CHC use influences weight loss and maintenance.

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“…The reproductive life of the hunter–gatherer is not recorded, but it can be observed in primitive societies still leading this type of existence. The reproductive life of the Dogon of Mali, a natural fertility population, has been extensively studied and compared to the current patterns in the USA . Among Dogon women, the median age at menarche is 17 years versus 12 years for girls in the USA; the median age at first full‐term pregnancy is 19 years versus 26 years for women in the USA; and the median duration of lactational amenorrhea is 20 months compared with 6 months in breastfeeding women in the USA .…”

Section: Reproductive Evolutionary Mismatchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The reproductive life of the Dogon of Mali, a natural fertility population, has been extensively studied and compared to the current patterns in the USA. 3 Among Dogon women, the median age at menarche is 17 years versus 12 years for girls in the USA; the median age at first full-term pregnancy is 19 years versus 26 years for women in the USA; and the median duration of lactational amenorrhea is 20 months compared with 6 months in breastfeeding women in the USA. 3 Dogon women experience approximately 100 menses during their lifetime, which is fourfold lower than for women in the USA.…”

Section: Reproductive Evolutionary Mismatchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of reproductive evolutionary mismatch on women's health and the need for action and research

Fathalla

2018

Intl J Gynecology & Obste

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Efforts by the health and scientific community have focused on providing women with the means to control and regulate their fertility. We paid less attention to the reality of women achieving their reproductive revolution while burdened with a reproductive system that evolved to fit the life of our ancestor hunter–gatherers, where women were destined to spend most of their reproductive years pregnant or breastfeeding. This state of evolutionary mismatch impacts on women's health as the reproductive system continues incessantly to work, producing a monthly ovum and exposing the reproductive organs to cyclic hormonal stimulation without the benefit of pregnancy and breastfeeding. Women have to cope with a life of menstrual cycles, decreased fecundity owing to reproductive ageing, and a higher risk of reproductive cancers, in addition to uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. The burden will increase in low‐resource countries as more women are adopting the new model of reproductive behavior, and resources to cope with the impact are limited. The reproductive revolution is benefiting not only women, but also their societies and the world at large. The health profession and the scientific community have an obligation to support women to cope with the impact of reproductive evolutionary mismatch.

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Oral contraceptives cause evolutionarily novel increases in hormone exposure

Abstract: Several oral contraceptive pills cause evolutionarily novel increases in hormone exposure and may thereby promote breast cancer risk. Half of all formulations in this study increase hormone levels more than four times what a woman would get from her own ovaries if not on the pill.

Cited by 41 publications

References 70 publications

Plasma phospholipase A2 activity may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker for the diagnosis of breast cancer

Plasma phospholipase A2 activity may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker for the diagnosis of breast cancer

Impact of Combined Hormonal Contraceptive Use on Weight Loss: A Secondary Analysis of a Behavioral Weight‐Loss Trial

Impact of reproductive evolutionary mismatch on women's health and the need for action and research

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